Fairey Arrested . . . Not by Associated Press

An event in Boston last night, where some attendees had paid $500 for tickets on Craigslist, held to celebrate the publication of a book about Shepard Fairey’s work had to take place without Fairey. He was arrested.

Fairey, a 38-year-old known for his countercultural style, was arrested on two outstanding warrants and was being held at a police station, according to a police official with knowledge of the arrest who requested anonymity. Police could not describe the nature of the outstanding warrants last night, but said they were based in Massachusetts. Fairey has been arrested at least 14 times, he has told the Globe.

The artist was arrested at about 9:15 p.m. as he was about to enter a sold-out dance event at the Institute of Contemporary Art on Northern Avenue, known as “Experiment Night.” [ . . . ]

The arrest of Fairey [ . . . ] helped maintain his counterculture reputation. “I wouldn’t say it’s cool he was arrested, but I think it shows he has integrity,” said Bill Galligan, a graphic designer. Some in the crowd last night speculated the incident may have been a publicity stunt.

Ginny Delany, a 27-year-old graduate student from Cambridge, said, “It makes him even more of a hero to me.